Do you need a referral for caesarean section?

A caesarean section is an operation to deliver a baby through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. Your obstetric team may discuss it before labour when there is a pregnancy or birth-related reason, or recommend it during labour if circumstances change. The referral connects you with maternity clinicians who can review your history, explain alternatives, discuss anaesthesia and recovery, and plan the hospital care. A private hospital, public service, or insurance arrangement may use different booking steps, so the maternity unit can confirm its process.

Tell your obstetrician or midwife if you have been advised to consider a caesarean section. Ask who must issue the referral, which hospital will provide the care, and whether a pre-operative assessment is needed. Bring your antenatal records and list of medicines to appointments. If you are considering a planned caesarean, discuss the reason, timing, expected hospital stay, wound care, feeding support, and how future pregnancies may be affected. Do not arrange an operation independently without maternity review.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for heavy vaginal bleeding, severe or constant abdominal pain, regular painful contractions before your expected plan, leaking fluid, reduced fetal movement, severe headache with visual changes, or sudden breathlessness. If labour or another emergency begins, go to the maternity assessment service or emergency department as instructed; do not wait for a routine referral appointment.

Ask why a caesarean is being considered, whether it is planned or may become necessary during labour, who will submit the referral, and what warning signs should bring you to hospital. Ask how the plan could change if your symptoms or labour pattern changes.